ABSTRACT
Muhammad thought the Jews, Christians and Hanifs might have solutions to the problems that gnawed at the core of pagan Meccan society. Even though Muhammad's uncle, Abu-Talib, never embraced Islam, he always protected his nephew. Abu-Talib's son, Ali, raised in Muhammad's home, was probably his first male convert. Even if the early Muslims had kept a low profile, they would have attracted the notice—and hostility—of Mecca's leaders. The religion prescribes a complete lifestyle. Partly because of these confrontations, the Qur'an contains some harsh words against the Jews. Muhammad thought the Jews, Christians, and Hanifs just might have solutions to the problems that gnawed at the core of pagan Meccan society. The Arabic word muslim means one who submits—to God's will. Medina's Arabs did not become Muslims at once, their quarrels proved hard to settle, and it was harder still for him to win the allegiance of the city as a whole.
